Registration open for French immersion charter school in St. Landry Parish

Families can register their children for a spot in École Saint-Landry, a public charter school that opened this school year in Sunset, for the fall semester.

For the 2022-23 academic year, the French immersion charter school will offer 60 spots for kindergarten students as well as a limited number of first- and second-grade slots. There are 12 seats available for first grade, and second-graders must have an appropriate level of French proficiency.

The school's mission is to prepare students from St. Landry Parish to be academically proficient, bilingual and globally competent. The school works to close the gaps of academic achievement by offering an innovative, researched-based French immersion education, reads a news release.

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Ecole St. Landry, the new French immersion charter school in Sunset opened registration for the 2022-2023 academic year this week. The French immersion charter school will offer 60 spots for kindergarten students as well as a limited number of first- and second-grade slots.
Ecole St. Landry, the new French immersion charter school in Sunset opened registration for the 2022-2023 academic year this week. The French immersion charter school will offer 60 spots for kindergarten students as well as a limited number of first- and second-grade slots.

École Saint-Landry's programming is guided by three pillars — French-language immersion, extracurricular community engagement and a diverse student body. As a public school, there is no tuition and transportation is available via satellite stops.

"We are creating citizens of the world — who, as our vision statement says: 'possess the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors necessary to thrive in today's increasingly interconnected world,'" Lindsay Smythe, École Saint-Landry school leader, said in a release.

Registration is open Jan. 3 through 5 p.m. Feb. 28. Sibling students receive priority admission.

A lottery will occur if more students apply for each grade than space is available. In that case, the lottery will be held the second week of March. Applicants will be selected by random computer drawing for available seats. Applicants not selected will be placed on a numbered wait list.

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"Our first year as a school has exceeded all expectations," Smythe said. "We look forward to the growth the new academic year will bring to our community. We continue to be inspired and empowered by this region’s heritage and identity."

The school is meeting in the renovated, old First Baptist Church of Sunset on Napoleon Avenue. But plans are underway to renovate the historic, former Sunset High building, which the school is leasing from the City of Sunset.

Families can apply and find more information online at ecolestlandry.org or call the school at 337-510-3022.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Registration open for French immersion charter school in St. Landry